Heavy snow is believed to blame for the collapse of a one-story Verizon building on Pamrapo Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 13.

According to city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill, Jersey City Police, Fire and the Office of Emergency Management were on the scene of a one-story building collapse which occurred around noon at 169 Pamrapo Ave. The building, a Verizon facility, was evacuated and all occupants accounted for.

Exchange place PATH station begins weekend closures

The Exchange Place PATH station will suspend service between Exchange Place and the World Trade Center on weekends staring on Feb. 14 and will continue to be closed on weekends throughout 2014 excluding major holidays.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said this is the least disruptive way to install new critical safety and signal system on the tracks between the two stations. The new system has been mandated by the federal government.

Throughout this outage, there will be PATH service at all times between New York and New Jersey on the Journal Square to 33rd Street via Hoboken line. PATH passengers can access the 33rd Street line, changing at Journal Square, from Newark and Harrison Stations. In 2015, the Port Authority anticipates closing a number of stations on the Journal Square to 33rd Street via Hoboken line during the weekends for similar work, keeping the World Trade Center and Exchange Place Stations open.

The Port Authority has worked out an agreement with NJ Transit to cross-honor PATH tickets on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail at the Exchange Place, Newport and Hoboken stations. Additional passenger information agents will be posted at key locations to help guide travelers. Further information is available at http://www.panynj.gov/PATH or email the Port Authority at PATHCommunity@panynj.gov .

A piece of American history

Dr. Clement Price, who chaired President Obama’s transition team for the National Endowment for the Humanities and is currently vice chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, paid a visit to the Jersey City Council chambers on Feb. 10. African-Americans played a huge role in shaping America, and much of their struggle also involved people who lived in Jersey City, he said.

Hudson County adds cost of living to living wage

The County of Hudson may become the first county in New Jersey to add a cost of living adjustment (COLA) to the base amount it pays workers under its “living wage” rules.

Currently these workers, hired by contractors doing business with the county, are entitled to a set of benefits that include health insurance support, vacation pay, and a base hourly wage of no less than $10.88 per hour. Under a proposed ordinance submitted to the Board of Freeholders by the administration of County Executive Tom DeGise, long championed by Freeholder Bill O’Dea, that base wage rate would rise about 2 percent, or 25 cents, to $11.13 per hour.

The freeholder board is expected to vote on the matter at its Feb. 27 meeting.